Author Topic: Gerta318is (Read 20563 times)

Gerta318is · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2011, 12:25:47 PM »

So finally the longest timing chain / cam gear replacement / mess under intake / coolant system replacment is coming to a close ... I need to replace one timing cover bolt as it stripped with the appropriately longer bolt. I still have a ways to go though since I hurt my back ... I will be updating this thread more frequently than every 11 months.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2011, 02:57:16 PM »

Gah, back pain is no fun. I had some troubles earlier this year, glad that's over.

I missed your questions last year...but my advice is to use the same ATF in both gearbox and P/S system. I've heard that some newer ATF oils have high-pressure additives that might attack phosphor bronze. I'm (A) not sure that we have phosphor bronze in our 'boxes and (B) not sure that it's true. I'll post positive info if I find it.

BTW, your link above is a 404 at Photobucket...the page editor might have truncated it...I'd em-bed it in a link instead.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2011, 07:10:10 PM »

No sweat Dave, thanks. I just got around to installing the new PS resevoir and lines. I am finished with the res and the line to the pump but the return line is being stubborn. I cannot for the life of me get the bolt to thread, so I sit here taking a break with Mr. Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Over the last week or so I've been making an effort to get it all done now that my back is on the mend.

http://lightbox.com/wall/kmorrin

Just received the new intake boot from blunttech so I had to finish off the last hose runs for the mess under the intake.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #18 on:** October 02, 2011, 06:58:03 PM »

Just finished installing the new taillights plus gaskets from Levent at GutenParts ... these are NOS Hella Tail lights ... would highly recommend GutenParts due to Levent's great customer service!

https://picasaweb.google.com/100610864538142335534/NewListings12232010#

Trying to kill two birds with one stone by taking care of the cracked passenger tailight and getting the new seals to take care of a potential trunk leak. I think the simple small projects make a nice change of pace when I run into issues like the pesky power steering return bolt.

http://lightbox.com/wall/kmorrin

A while ago I picked up a set of E21 recaros in great shape which I think I will either recover or swap in and use as is ... I have a second set that is in need of serious recovery which I can switch parts or the plastics.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #19 on:** October 03, 2011, 08:27:17 PM »

I'm in a constant state of alternating between serious mechanical work (or at least what passes for that in my garage) and finishing small projects. I had recently cleaned and painted the BMW'd spark plug channel cover black using duplicolor trim paint. The white lettering was really scuffed up so I used blue masking tape and a white rustolem paint to get 'er back to white.

Pics: http://lightbox.com/wall/kmorrin

Gerta318is · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2011, 12:34:56 AM »

Finally got that pesky power steering pump return bolt in and the lines re-run correctly for the res. I had to remove the sway bar drop links which was good as upon inspection one had failed. Fortunately I have the entire front suspension waiting to go in while I'm waiting on the remainder of the parts I ordered from a forum member in Germany.

Just need to charge the battery so I can finish the initial start up and bleed the coolant.

Gotta tackle that front valence and IS lip install too this weekend.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2011, 04:21:55 PM »

I hear you about alternating between serious work & little tweaks. I hope the weather holds long enough for me to decide on new struts...

That plug cover looks really good. It's so bright it almost hurts my eyes!

Gerta318is · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2011, 07:37:45 PM »

Dave - the damnable cell phone flash ... I completely mangled my ball joints on the control arms and they still aren't out. I just ordered a harbor frieght ball joint spreader that should be here tuesday (crossing my fingers). The droplinks were so shot that I could get nearly 360 degrees of rotation with nearly no pressure!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #23 on:** October 07, 2011, 08:12:05 PM »

I bought a two-arm puller for my next attempt. I saw the joint spreader the last time I was there, that looked like a good idea too.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #24 on:** October 14, 2011, 02:32:35 AM »

Dave I received the Harbor Freight ball joint popper today and it worked wonders. So far I have only the upper ball joints left to get off. It looks like I am going to use the pickle fork for those. I'll update the pictures when I get a chance. I'm beat.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2011, 10:19:28 PM »

Good last couple of days of work even though I missed the R3V drive to Leavenworth, WA for the last weekend of Oktoberfest .... as much as I wanted to go, I just couldnt get all the stuff I needed done, done.

So Friday I did get the suspension all in except for the M3 LCABs. Every single front suspension piece looks to have been original! The swaybar drop links could be moved with a finger, the hanger rubber was brittle, the control arms weren't controlling anything ... the list goes on. I cant believe someone lived with this car with nothing but new shocks for 245k miles! Saturday I had a local tire shop press the bushings (for free!) into new lollipops. Today I ordered up Monty23psk's LCAB tool, a new sunroof headliner panel, stripped the old front valance and reinstalled all fogs, etc ... including my iS lip. This fixed an issue where my front looked like i had a hair lip ...

Gerta318is · « **Reply #26 on:** October 21, 2011, 11:04:08 PM »

Received Monty's LCAB puller on Wednesday and finally got around to using the tools. Wow. It made a difficult job very easy ... those would be worthy to purchase if you had more than one car to do. Got everything installed and tightened down and then noticed my driver side tie rod boot was leaking ... the passenger side was dry and brittle. Needless to say that the they are now on order from Blunt. Since getting her off jack stands was out of the question I also did the motor mounts.

Also tested the aux fan which hasn't been coming on. Jumpered the pins on the harness for the fan and it spins right up ... I guess I have to track the reason(s) it wont work now. I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any.

Now I'm waiting to get the car of jack stands before I put the front valence back on.

monty23psk · « **Reply #27 on:** October 24, 2011, 12:14:13 PM »

Glad tool worked. Regarding Aux fan, if you push AC button and it turns on on low, then fan is ok and resistor is ok. If you jump the pins and you get it to come on low and high, then your issue is the temp switch on the radiator.. Did you test both low and high? how about with ac button on?

Gerta318is · « **Reply #28 on:** October 24, 2011, 12:28:55 PM »

Monty - So I pushed the AC button, it lights up but no aux fan. I jumpered the fan and it spins. I've replaced the thermostat and the temp switch (I bought yours remember). My thermostat is 92 deg and the temp switch is a 91 deg if that makes a difference - I'm in WA state so not a "hot" weather place typically.

I can't get it to come on at all unless I jump it, so I figure that it is the diode. I understand that is underneath the fuse box.

monty23psk · « **Reply #29 on:** October 25, 2011, 07:52:27 AM »

That's right you did get it from me, just wasn't sure it was you.

If you press the AC button and nothing happens, its either your diode, resistor or relay.
1. Do you have the OEM fan or aftermarket? Do you have the low speed resistor installed?
2. When you jump the connector, can you get the fan to turn on at both low and high speeds?